Apparatus for manipulating hot glass



R. LA FRANCE APPARATUSFOR MANIPULATING HOT GLASS.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 20, 1918.

1,390,448. PatentedSept. 13, 1921.

2 SHEETS-SHEET I.

a la." 13mm 24 Z mplllh INVENTOR R. LA FRANCE.

APPARATUS FOR MANIPU LATING HOT GLASS. APPLICATION FILED MAR. 20, 1913.

1,390,448. PatentedSept. 13,1921.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2- mm p INVENTOR UNITED STATES RICHARD LA FRANCE, OF TOLEDO, OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO THE OWENS BOTTLE MACHINE 1 PATENT OFFICE.

COMPANY, OF TOLEDO, OHIO, A CORPORATION OF OHIO.

APPARATUS FOR MANIPULATING HOT GLASS.

Application filed March 20, 1918.

To all 10710722. it may concern Be it known that I, Rrormnn LA FRANCE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Toledo, in the county of Lucas and State of Ohio, have invented new and useful Improvements in Apparatus for Manipulating Hot Glass, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to apparatus by which a continuously flowing stream of molten glass is segregated into individual gathers or masses to be introduced into forming molds.

In the co-pending application of Joseph B. Graham, Serial Number 174,697, there is shown apparatus of the character above indicated, comprising a sectional cup placed directly beneath the flow opening into the bottom of a receptacle containing molten This cup, together with a cut-off blade forming a removable bottom for the cup, provides a temporary receptacle in which the glass accumulates to form a gob. The knife is withdrawn after a portion of the charge has collected in the cup and the accumulating mass is supported by the side walls of the cup during a further accumulation of the glass. The cup sections are then separated. permitting the mass to drop into a. mold therebeneath, after which the cup sections come together and the knife operates to sever the charge from the oncoming stream so that the glass again accumulates to form the next charge.

The present invention comprises certain improvements on the apparatus disclosed in the Graham application, comprising a modified form of sectional cup, a modified operation of the knife, and an improved form of knife. According to my invention, the opening in the bottom of the sectional cup is narrowed or restricted and the cup so formed that the knife after severing the glass may be withdrawn instantaneously. The glass is then supported by the side walls of the cup as the gather accumulates. The knife operating mechanism is formed to effect this quick withdrawal of the knife. The primary purpose of this operation is to reduce to a minimum the length of time the knife is in contact with the glass to thereby avoid chilling of the glass and thus eliminate the usual scar produced in the finished ware by such chilling.

Another feature of the invention relates Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 13, 1921.

Serial No. 223,548.

to the improved knife or cut-off device. In its preferred form the knife blade is a disk which slides in contact with the bottom of the divided cup. This disk is inexpensive, being a circular piece of tool steel which, in case it gets dull, can readily be reground bv an unskilled workman. It is mounted on a pivot pin which may have a slightly tapered shank permitting the disk to rock sufficiently to closely it the under surface of the cup, with the result that when the cutting of the glass takes place a close contact of the cutting edge of the disk with the corresponding cutting edge of the cup is insured. This condition also means that as the cutting off has taken place the disk closes the opening in the bottom of the cup with absolutely no clearance for the glass to settle in and form a ridge or chilled corner. Shear marks are thus eliminated from the finished article. The blade is free to rotate about its pivot so that any wear of the cutting edge is distributed. The cutting disk is mounted on a horizontally swinging arm and is held by spring pressure against the bottom of the cup, the disk having a limited vertical movement in said arm. This arrangement avoids the necessity of any fine adjustment of the knife and permits it to automatically accommodate itself to any inequalities or variations due to eX- pansion.

Other features and advantages of the invention will appear hereinafter.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure l is a plan view of the divided cup and cutoff device, and operating'means therefor.

Fig. 2 is a. side elevation partly broken away of the furnace extension or booth and flowing apparatus.

Figs. 3, 4 and 5 are front sectional elevations of the same, showing the apparatus in the positions assumed at different periods in the cycle of operations. Fig. 3 illustrates a cup having a larger discharge open ng than in the other views and shows a portion of a gob collected in the cup. Fig. 4 shows the cup in open position with the gob dropping into a mold. Fig. 5 shows the positlon of parts an instant later when the cup has closed and the knife operated.

Fig. 6 is a plan view of the knife and its carrying arm.

Fig. 7 is a sectional view of the same. the section being at the line 7*? on Fig. 6...

Fig. 8 is a detail view of a cup section.

The molten glass 11 may be supplied from a continuous melting tank (not shown) provided with an extension or clay boot 10. A continuous flow of glass is permitted through an opening in the bottom of the boot, said opening formed in a remo able bushing 12. A metal support 13 is provided for the boot 10. Beneath the flow opening is a divided cup or receptacle 14c. in which the glass accumulates to form a gather or gob. This cup is made in two sections which, when the gob of glass has accumulated therein. are separated by withdrawing them horizontally to permit the gob to drop into a mold 38 therebeneath. The cup sections are then brought together again ready to receive the nextcharge and a knife 15 is moved horizontally across the bottom of the cup to sever the discharged gob from the oncoming stream of glass.

The knife 15 may remain in position to close the bottom of the cup during the accumulation of a portion of the charge. The knife is then withdrawn leaving the ac cumulating glass supported by the inclined side walls of the cup as shown in Fig. 3. The arrangement and operation of the cup and knife just described may be the same as that disclosed in the (iraham application above referred to.

The present invention. however, comprebends a modified form of cup in which the bottom opening 16 is sufficiently restricted to permit the knife to be withdrawn immediately after the cutting stroke, without allowing the glass to run through said opening. l'ith this arrangement the knife is not relied on as a temporary support for the accumulating mass and by withdrawing the knife at once after the cuttii'ig' stroke it does not remain in contact with the glass long enough to chill it and produce the usual scar in the finished ware.

The cup sections may be provided with compartments 17 in which water is circulated for coolingthe cup. The flow of glass from the boot it) is regulated by a plug 18 adjustable toward and from the flow opening.

The mechanism for actuating the divided cup it and knife 15 will be understood by reference to Figs. 1 and 2. The two cup sections are carried on arms 19 and so mounted to swing horizontally on their pivots 21 and 22. The arm forms part of a bell crank lever having an arm 23 carrying a roller 2 1- bearing against a cam 26 on a drive shaft 27. As the cam rotates the high part 36 engages the. roll 24: and swings the bell crank 20 to separate the cup sections 14., intermeshing gears 2) serving to transmit the motion to the arm 19. The cup is closed by springs 30 mounted on a rod 31 extending freely through lugs 32 on the arms 19 and 20. The springs are contined between said lugs and adjustable nuts 39 The knife 15 is carried by a bell crank lever 34 pivoted at 22 and having a roll 35 to bear against a cam 28 for swinging said knife. The cam 28 is rotated by the shaft 27. .--\djusting means 3? permits the relative position of the cams to be adjusted to thereby time the relative movements of the cup and knife. The shaft 27 is driven by or in synchronism with a rotary mold table of a glass forming machine carrying the molds 2-38. 'lhc-se molds may be arranged in a circle on the mold table to be brought successively into position beneath the cup for receiving the charges. The cup sections are connected to the arms 19 and 20 by pivots 39 and held at'the proper angle by adjusting screws 40, which permit accurate adjustment of the abutting faces of the cup sections. Station ary supports 17 are provided for the cup sections.

The knife 15 is in the form of a disk preferably made of tool steel and having a cutting edge at its eircumferencc. The knife disk is mounted on a shouldered pivot pin 51. having its shank tapered as shown at (Fig. 7) to permit a slight tilting movement of the disk in any direction. The knife is yieldingly held against the bottom of the cup by means of a spring 53 operating through a lever 54- pivoted at 55 to an arm 56 on which the knife is mounted. The end of the lever bears against the pin 51 which is freely slidable in the direction of its length in the arm 56. A head 57 on said pin limits the movement thereof. The arm 56 is connected by a bolt 58 to the bell crank 34. The knife arm is adjusted so that the knife hears with a moderate pressure against the bottom of the cup. The knife disk being free for universal tilting movement on its pivot and under spring pressure. it accommodates itself to any irregularities and bears squarely against the bottom of the cup. This insures a clean cut and prevents the glass from being drawn or settling between the blade and the bottom of the cup, and thereby prevents the formation of a ridge or chilled edge which would produce a shear mark in the finished ware.

Just above the mold 38 is a guide ring 60 with a flared opening in register with the mold for guiding the glass into the mold, particularly when the tail of the gob is deflected by the cutter. as shown in Fig. 5. The guide ring may also reduce the diameter of the mass of glass passing therethrough and shape it for entering the mold. as indicated in Fig. t. e

The operation is as follows:

Referringto Fig. 1. the drive shaft 27 is rotating continuously in the direction indicated by the arrow, carrying with it the cams for actuating the cup and knife. As the high portion 36 of the cam 26 engages the roll 24, the cup sections are separated, permitting the accumulated charge of glass to drop into the mold 38, as indicated .in Fig. l. The cam may be so formed that the cupwill immediately close after the gob has dropped therefrom, or it may be formed to hold the cup sections separated for a greater or less interval of time so that after the gob drops into the mold the glass will continue to flow in a stream directly into the mold. As the cup closes or immediately thereafter, the knife is operated by the high portion 281 of the cam 28 to sever the discharged gob from the oncoming stream. When the bottom opening 16 in the cup is made small enough, as shown in Fig. 8, the knife may be immediately withdrawn after its cutting stroke by a spring (not shown). The accumulating glass is then supported by the inner retaining walls of the cup which are upwardly and outwardly inclined.

hen the bottom opening of the cup is made larger, as indicated in Fig. 3, the high portion 281 of the knife operating cam will be lengthened to hold the knife in its forward position while a portion of the charge accumulates. The knife is then withdrawn and the glass supported by the side walls of the cup until the gather is completed and the cup opened to discharge the glass.

Variations may be resorted to without departing from the spirit or scope of my invention.

W'hat I claim is 1. Means for separating a flowing stream of glass into individual masses, comprising a sectional cup in the path of the stream and in which the glass accumulates, means to separate the cup sections and thereby drop the accumulated mass and then return said sections, said cup having a restricted bottom opening through which glass may flow and prevent entire disconnection of the discharged mass from the oncoming stream, and

a knife to cut the glass at said opening, said opening being of a size to prevent further flow of glass therethrough afterit is cut at the opening.

2. The combination with means to supply a stream of glass, of a receptacle in which the glass accumulates, said receptacle having a restricted discharge opening, means to momentarily enlarge said opening to discharge the accumulated mass and then reduce the opening without disconnecting the discharged mass from the stream, a cut-off device, and means to operate it to sever the stream at said opening and then to immediately withdraw it.

The combination with means to supplv a stream of glass, of a receptacle into which the glass flows, the receptacle having a discharge opening normally restricted to preventthe glass from flowing therethrough while accumuating in the cup, means to enlarge said opening to discharge the accumulated mass and then reduce it without stopping the flow at said opening, a knife, and means to move the knife across said opening to sever the stream and immediately withdraw it, the opening being sufiiciently restricted to prevent the glass from flowing thercthrough after the knife has been withdrawn.

l. The combination of a tank having a flow opening, means forming a passageway through which the glass flows from said opening, means to periodically restrict the passageway at one point, and means to sever the glass at said point, said restriction being sufficient to prevent a continued flow of glass therethrough after it is severed.

5. The combination with means for establishing a flowing stream of glass, of means providing a passageway through which the glass flows, said passageway being restricted at one point sufiiciently to permit the glass to accumulate above said restriction to form a gob, means to momentarily enlarge said restriction to permit the gob to drop, a knife, and means to move the knife across said passageway at said restriction to sever the glass and to immediately withdraw the knife.

(3. The combination with means for flowing a stream of glass, of a sectional cup or receptacle in which the glass accumulates to form a gob, the inner walls of said cup being downwardly convergent and terminating in a restricted opening in the bottom of the cup, means to separate the cup sections and thereby drop the gob, and a cut-off device to separate the gob from the oncoming stream, said opening being of a size to prevent a flow of the glass therethrough after the cut-off has operated.

7. In apparatus for manipulating hot glass, the combination of a disk cutter, a cooperating member having a flat surface against which the disk bears and a cutting edge, and means to secure automatic adjustment of the disk to said member.

8. In apparatus for manipulating hot glass, the combination of a disk cutter, a cooperating member having a flat surface against which the disk bears and a cutting edge, and means to secure automatic adjustment of the disk to said member and hold the disk with a spring pressure against said member. 7 y

9. In glass cutting apparatus, the combination of a flat disk having a cutting edge, a cooperating element providing a flat surface over which the disk slides and having a cutting edge with Which the disk cooperates to produce a shearing cut, and means to yieldingly hold the disk against said flat surface.

10. In glass cutting apparatus, the combination of a flat disk having a cutting edge, a cooperating element providing a fiat surface over which the disk slides and having a cutting edge with which the disk cooperates to produce a shearing cut, a supporting arm in which the disk is mounted for limited movement in a direction perpendicular to its face, and a spring by which the disk is yieldingly held against said face.

ll. Tn glass cutting apparatus, the combination of a flat disk having cutting edge, a cooperating element providing a flat surface over which the disk slides and having a cutting edge with which the disk cooperates to produce a shearing cut, said disk mounted to rotate freely about its axis and also mounted for universal tilting movement, permitting the disk to accurately adjust itself to said surface.

12. A severing device for hot glass, comprising a disk, a pivot pin on which the disk is mounted and free to rotate, said pin hav ing a shank of reduced diameter extending through the disk, said shank being tapered to permit universal tilting movement of the disk thereon.

13. A severing device for hot glass, comprising a disk, a pivot pin on which the disk is mounted and free to rotate, said pin having a shank of reduced diameter extending through the disk, said shank being tapered to permit universal tilting movement of the disk thereon, an arm in which said pin is mounted for limited movement in the direc tion of its length, and means to apply spring pressure to said pin in the direction of its length.

let. A severing device for hot glass, com prising a disk, a pivot pin on which the disk is mounted and free to rotate, said pin having a shank of reduced diameter extending through the disk, said shank being tapered to permit universal tilting movement of the disk thereon, an arm in which said pin is mounted for limited. movement in the direction of its length, a lever pivoted on said arm and having one end abutting against said pin, and a spring interposed between said arm and the other end of the lever.

15. The combination with a sectional cup in which a flowing stream of glass accumulates to form a gob, of means to separate the cup sections to drop the gob, a cutter arranged to bear against the bottom surface of the cup and slidable thereon to sever the gob, and means to hold the cutter with a yielding pressure against the bottom of the cup.

16. The combination with a sectional cup in which a flowing stream of glass accumulates to form a gob, of means to separate the cup sections to drop the gob, a cutter arranged to bear against the bottom surface of the cup and slidable thereon to sever the gob, means securing a universal automatic adjustment of the cutter to said surface, and means to hold the cutter with a yielding pressure against said surface.

17. The combination with means for flowing a stream of molten glass, of means for periodically severing the stream, comprising a disk cutter and a cooperating element relatively movable transversely of the stream and operable to sever the latter by a shear cut, and means to hold said disk and cooperating element together with a yielding pressure applied in a direction transverse to that of their relative movement.

18. The combination of a tank having a flow opening, means forming a passageway through which the glass flows from said opening, means to periodically restrict the passageway at one point, and means to sever the glass, said restriction being sufficient to prevent a continued flow of glass therethrough after it is severed.

Signed at Toledo, in the county of Lucas and State of Ohio, this 13th day of March,

RICHARD LA FRANCE. 

